July 2010
Dear Families and Friends of Charlie Company,
It is an honor and a privilege for my wife Meredith and me to return to Charlie
Company. I served as a Platoon Commander in this fine unit a few years ago and I am very
excited about returning to take the helm as the Commanding Officer.
As you have probably noticed, the company’s training has been rigorous and
continuous since their return from Yuma, Arizona at the beginning of last month. We
completed an aggressive counterinsurgency field exercise, complete with Afghan and Marine
role players. This type of training ensures that should Charlie Company find itself in an
environment such as Afghanistan, we will be ready for any mission our country has in
store. We also conducted an intense week of live fire training, practicing our
marksmanship with our rifles, mortars, and machine guns.
The next few weeks will see Charlie Company conducting training in Bridgeport,
California at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center. These three weeks will
help us practice our patrolling and counterinsurgency training while working at 7000 feet
above sea level. Though challenging, this type of training ensures that our company can
live up to the Marine Corps standard of operating in “every clime and place,” as our hymn
implies. Upon our return from Bridgeport, we will officially join the 13th Marine
Expeditionary Unit and begin our training at sea. Though those months will be difficult
because you will be separated from your Marine at various times, the training they
receive will ensure that they are prepared when we set sail on our deployment next year.
Congratulations to the following Marines that were promoted during June (current
rank is listed):
Sergeant Pryor
Corporal Heilig
Corporal Ewing
Lance Corporal Villarodriguez
I would also like to welcome the newest member of the Charlie Company family:
Noah Alexander Lopez, born on June 21st to Lance Corporal Jadier Lopez and his wife
Blanca. Congratulations!
If you have any immediate concerns during our training, you may reach me through
the Battalion Officer of the Day at 760-763-1439 or the Family Readiness Officer, Rick
Anderson, at 760-763-3614 (office) or 760-429-3514 (cell). You can also reach Rick via
email at: rick.anderson@usmc.mil. Because our training often takes place outside of cell
phone or e-mail access, Rick is the best way for you to reach me with your concerns or
questions.
I look forward to meeting with you and getting to know you in the months ahead.
Please let me know if there is anything Meredith or I can do for you.
Semper Fidelis,
Neal Simpson
Captain, USMC
Commanding Officer
Charlie Company, 1/1